Bay Harbour: August 21, 2019

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Wednesday <strong>August</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>2019</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi BAY HARBOUR PAGE 7 News Extra fees for Akaroa ships CRUISE SHIPS berthing in Akaroa will contribute more this summer towards the costs of maintaining the area’s public amenities. The city council has decided to add an ‘amenity cost contribution’ to its cruise ship fees this summer, meaning overall fees for berthing in Akaroa <strong>Harbour</strong> will increase by nine per cent. The fee increase is designed to help the city council recoup more of the additional costs it incurs due to increased demand on the region’s public amenities, like toilets, during the cruise season. The small township of Akaroa has become a busy cruise ship destination since the earthquakes damaged the wharf facilities at Lyttelton, forcing cruise ship companies to find alternative places to berth. While cruise ship visits over the past few years have brought significant economic benefits to local businesses, they have also put pressure on the town’s amenities and infrastructure, particularly its public toilets. The city council is about to spend $630,000 on replacing the ageing block of public toilets on Rue Jolie, behind the Akaroa Service Centre. It is also currently in the process of looking at how it can POPULAR: Cruise ships have placed demand on Akaroa’s infrastructure. upgrade Akaroa’s main wharf so that it better meets the community’s needs. City council citizens and community general manager Brent Smith said the fees that cruise ships will be charged this summer are more reflective of the additional expenditure that is required in Akaroa because of their visits. “The additional costs of providing adequate toilet facilities for cruise ship passengers is the major cost the council has been covering, with additional cleaning and temporary toilets required at times. Now we can meet these costs without it becoming a ratepayer burden, freeing up funds to be spent on other needed maintenance in the community’’ Mr Smith said. Cruise ship agent ISS McKay operations manager Richard Carvalho agrees the contribution is a good outcome. “Agreeing this cost contribution from visiting cruise operators reflects our commitment to a strong relationship with the Akaroa community,’’ Mr Carvalho said. •HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think the ‘amenity cost contribution’ to cruise ship fees is a good outcome for Akaroa? Email your thoughts to jess.gibson@ starmedia.kiwi Wolf painting wins children’s choice in $40k fundraiser • By Jess Gibson WHEN BARBI Larkins was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, she picked up her paintbrush. The Cass <strong>Bay</strong> resident, who had an unused commercial art degree, started off painting animals to rediscover her passion. One of Mrs Larkins’ first artworks was a wolf – representing the freedom and adventure she felt while exploring her creativity. Now, that wolf will hang in the halls of Lyttelton Primary School after being voted children’s choice in the Peninsula Art Auction. Mrs Larkins’ painting, titled Woof, was one of 160 artworks which raised more than $40,000 for the school during its major biennial fundraiser on <strong>August</strong> 3 and 4. In the lead up to the auction, a number of pupils were given a golden ticket to vote on their favourite piece of art. Mrs Larkins, who is now cancerfree, said she was “stoked” children liked her painting so much. It was bought for about $300 and donated back to the school by the buyer. “I’ve had some feedback since then on how much they enjoyed it, which is really special for me.” A strong crowd browsed and bid on the art, which was donated by artists with a connection to the Banks Peninsula. The school’s upstairs classrooms and library were transformed into a “sophisticated” art gallery. The total sum was almost on par with the $42,000 which poured in during the 2017 auction. Principal Brendan Wright said the money raised reflected the nature of the community. “They want to do the best for the children who live here and the auction one of the ways that they show it,” he said.